Tension band for fencing



5, 1961 G. JOHNSON 2,996,285

TENSION BAND FOR FENCING Filed April 4, 1960 INVENTOR. GRADY JOHNSON ATTORNEYS 2,996,285 TENSION. BAND FOR FENCING Grady Johnson, 5550 Linden Ave., Dayton, Ohio Filed Apr. 4, 1960, Ser. No. 19,746 6 Claims. (Cl. 256-47) The-present invention deals with a novel tension band assembly for maintaining a flexible fencing fabric in tensioned condition.

.In the installation of flexible fences, such as of metal chain-link fabric, support posts are fixed in the ground and the fence is secured therebetween by means of a stretcher bar which is threaded through, or otherwise secured, the ends of the fencing fabric. After one end of the fabric has been secured by affixing the stretcher bar'to one support post, the fence is placed under tension by a stretching tool and the second stretcher bar is secured to the second support post to maintain the fence in assembled tensioned condition. The stretcher bars on each end of the fence fabric are attached to the respective support posts by tension bands which serve to maintain the fabric in fixed condition to the support post.

Due to the fact that the fence fabric is flexible and not self-supporting, removal of the tension bands from one'of the support posts results in the collapse of the fence. Thus, employment of a tension band which is easily removed lends itself to tricks by pranksters who removethe tension bands to collapse the fence. Reassembly of the fabric to the support post is a troublesome and relatively expensive task for the property owner requiring the use of a special stretching tool in order to stretch the fabric and replace the tension bands onthe posts. In view of this, it is desirable to provide a tension bandrwhich is not easily removed once it has 3 been-assembled on the support post. Moreover, since thefence fabric is under tension, it is desirable to utilize the tensioned condition of the fabric to assist in maintaining the tension band in the locked position thereby making it difiicult to remove the tension band.

Due to the fact that the fence fabric and support posts are constructed of metal, the tension on the fence will vary slightly with changes in temperature. In view of this, it is advantageous to provide a tension band which is retained in the assembled position by the resilient nature .of the tension band body.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel tension band for chain link fences.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tension band which is easily assembled when the flexible fencing fabric is in tensioned condition.

It is another object of this invention to provide a tension band which is difiicult to remove without the use of special tools.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a tension band which is retained in the assembled position due to a link engaging slots provided in the side arms of the band against the tension of a stretcher bar.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of such tension band which is also retained in the assembled condition by the spring biasing action of the side arms of the tension band, tending to hold the link in position in notches provided on the side arms.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention 2,996,285 Patented Aug. 15, 1961 "ice will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a novel tension band constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of the location of the tension band during assembly of the fence structure;

FIGS. 3 to 5 are enlarged views illustrating the manner of assembling the link over the tension band for securing the stretcher bar to the support post;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views from the left of FIGS. 4 and 5 showing the sequence of assembly of the link over the tension band body;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view along the line 8-3 of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9 to 11 are isometric views of a modified tension band, illustrating the assembly thereof; and

FIGS. 12 through 14 are similar views illustrating a further modification of the tension band, and illustrating the assembly thereof.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows one form of an improved tension band constructed in accordance with this invention. Extending from the central loop portion 10, which is adapted to surround a fixed support post, are a pair of parallel spaced arms 12 and 14. Located on the ends of each arm are a pair of notches 16 and 18 for receiving a link member 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the central loop portionli) surrounds the fixed support post 22 with arms 12 and 14 extending in'parallel relationship in the direction of the stretcher bar 24 for receiving the stretcher bar therebetween. As the flexible chain fabric 26 is placed under tension by drawing the stretcher bar 24 towards support post 22, the stretcher bar is pulled between the parallel arms as 5 shown in FIG. 3.

The pairs of notches .16 and 18, respectively, are located a suflicientand essentially equal distance from the central loop portion 10' to allow passage of the stretcher bar therebetween. As the link 20 is .placed in assembled position in the notches, the stretcher bar is held in fixed position relative to the support post 22, thereby maintaining the fabric under tension. Link 20 is of general- 1y rectangular configuration, having two longer sides 28 and two shorter sides 30, which accordingly define a central aperture having a corresponding larger and smaller inner transverse dimension.

In the assembly of the tension band, the link is inserted over the spaced arms 12 and 14 with the long dimension thereof arranged in the plane of the stretcher bar as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The spaced arms 1'2 and 14 are squeezed towards each other, and the link is placed over the arms with the long dimension in the plane of the stretcher bar. As the link is aligned with the notches, the link 20 is then rotated to place the longer sides 28 in the plane perpendicular to the plane of the stretcher bar and generally coinciding with the plane of the central loop portion and spaced arms 12 and 14. In this position, the link engages the notches and is firmly positioned therein as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.

The pairs of notches 16 and 18 are cut or otherwise formed in the side arms 12 and 14 a sufficient depth to define a recessed portion having a relatively larger outer first dimension, as'measured from the outer side of each arm 12 to the outer side of arm 14, and a relatively smaller outer second dimension, measured from the base of one notch 16 on arm 12 to the base of the other notch on arm 12. The larger dimension is in the same plane as the central loop portion while the smaller dimension is in the plane of the stretcher bar 24. Accordingly, when the link 20 is assembled to engage in the notches 16 and 18, the larger outer dimension of the recessed portion of the spaced arms generally coincides with the large inner transverse dimension of the link 20. Similarly, the

smaller outer dimension of the recessed portion of the.

spaced arms. generally coincides with the smaller inner transverse dimension of link 20.

Once the link has been assembled in the above described manner, the stretcher tool is removed and the stretcher bar 24 abuts the link 20 as shown in FIG. 8'.

Due to the fact that the fence fabric is now under tension, stretcher bar 24 is urged against the link 20 and securely positions the link in the notches 16 and '18. With the link thus assembled in the notches, it is difiicult to rotate the link since the stretcher bar urges the link 20 into the firm engagement with the upright portion of the notches farthest removed from the central loop portion 10. The firm positioning of the link is also aided by the fact that spaced arms 12 and 14 are resilient and are forced outwardly from the stretcher bar thereby insuring engagement of the link and the notches along the shorter dimension of the link.

FIGS. 9 to 11 show a modification of the tension band wherein each of the arms 12 and 14 has a single notch 32 and 34, respectively, which notches are located diagonally with respect to each other. The assembly of thismodified tension band is accomplished in the same sequence as described in connection with the assembly of the tension band of FIG. 1. This sequence is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, while FIG. 11 shows the link engaging each of the notches 32 and 34 in the assembled position.

FIGS. 12 to 14 show another modification of a tension band constructed in accordance with this invention wherein a link member 35, having two longer sides 38 and two shorter sides 40, is slightly bent along the midpoint 42 of sides 38. The central loop portion and side arms are the same as shown in FIG. 1, therefore the same reference numerals have been applied to the tension band body.

As is the case with link 20, a generally rectangular aperture is formed in the link 35, which may conveniently be formed as a stamping, with the longer transverse inner dimension generally coinciding with the longer outer dimension with the recessed portion of side arms 12 and 14. As will be seen from the drawings, the central loop portion and the notched side arms 12 and 14 are the same as shown in connection with FIG. 1.

In the assembly of link 35, the long dimension of the link is arranged in the plane of the stretcher bar and as the side arms are squeezed together, the short side of the link is tipped over arms 12 and 14 to engage the upper or lower notches on the arms, as shown in the solid lines of FIG. 13. This is necessary since the longer inner transverse dimension is too small to allow the link to pass freely over the ends of arms 12 and 14, but the link 35 easily passes over when one short side of the link is inserted in the notches. The other short side of the link 35 is rotated towards the stretcher bar until it is aligned with the second set of notches of arms 12 and 14 as shown in dotted lines of FIG. 13. The link 35 is then rotated 90 to place the longer inner transverse dimension in the plane of the central loop portion 10 whereby the links are engaged by the notches. Since the fabric is in tensioned condition, the stretcher bar is urged against the bent portion 42 of link 35 and this assists in maintaining the link in proper position. Since the stretcher bar is centered in the link, this assists in evenly distributing the pull of the bar on the individual links as well as distributing the pull of the bar among the several links thereby tending to prevent turning of the tension band on the support post. Further due to the fact that the link is slightly bent at 42, it is diflicult to rotate the link to free it unless the stretcher bar is pulled away from the bent portion. As is the case with the tension band of FIGS. 1 and 9, the side arms are resilient and assist in retaining the link 35 in the proper assembled position.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A tension band for retaining a chain link fabric stretcher bar to a support post for maintaining fencing fabric under tension comprising a central loop portion for engaging a support post, a pair of adjacent spaced arms extending from said central portion for receiving a stretcher bar therebetween, at least one notch located on each arm a sufficient distance from said central portion to allow for passage of a stretcher bar, and a link member having opposed relatively larger and smaller sides defining a central aperture with a corresponding larger and smaller transverse dimension, said link member surrounding said arms to engage said notches for retaining a stretcher bar and maintaining said chain link fabric under tension.

2. A tension band for retaining a fencing fabric stretcher bar to a support post for maintaining said fencing fabric under tension comprising a central loop portion for engaging a support post, a pair of spaced arms extending from said central portion for receiving a stretcher bar therebetween, a pair of spaced notches on each of said spaced arms defining a recessed portion having a relatively larger outer first dimension and a relatively smaller outer second dimension and located a sufficient distance from said central portion to allow for passage of a stretcher bar, and a link member having opposed relatively larger and smaller sides defining a central aperture with a corresponding larger and smaller inner transverse dimension such that as the link is assembled over the spaced arms with the large dimension in a first plane and rotated to place the large dimension in a second plane, the inner transverse dimension of the link generally coincides with the outer dimension of the notches for fixedly positioning the link with respect to the notches and maintaining the fence fabric in tensioned condition.

3. A tension band for retaining a chain link fabric stretcher bar to a support post for maintaining said chain link fabric under tension comprising a central loop portion for engaging a support post, a pair of spaced arms extending from said central portion for receiving a stretcher bar therebetween, a pair of notches diagonally disposed on said spaced arms a suflicient distance from said central portion to allow for passage of a stretcher bar, and a link extending around said arms and engaging said diagonally disposed notches for retaining a stretcher bar and maintaining said chain link fabric under tension.

4. A tension band for retaining a chain link fabric stretcher bar to a support post for maintaining a fencing fabric under tension comprising a central loop portion for engaging a support post, a pair of adjacent arms extending from said central portion for receiving a stretcher bar therebetween, at least one notch located on each arm a sufiicient distance from said central portion to allow for passage of a stretcher bar, and a link member having opposed relatively longer sides slightly bent at their midpoint and smaller sides defining a central aperture with a corresponding larger and smaller transverse dimension, said link member surrounding said arms to engage said notches for retaining a stretcher bar and maintaining said chain link fabric under tension.

5. A tension band for retaining a chain link fabric 5 6 Stretcher bar to a support post for maintaining such fenc- '6. A tension band as set forth in claim 5 wherein ing fabric under tension, comprising a central loop poreach of said arms includes a pair of notches thereon. tion for engaging a support post, a pair of adjacent spaced arms lclaxtendintglg1 from said central portion for receiving 8. References Cited in the file of this patent stretc er bar erebetween, at least one notch located on 5 each of said arms, and a link member adapted to sur- UNITED STATES PATENTS round said arms and engage said notches for retaining a 1,849,410 Selquist Mar, 15, 1932 stretcher bar between said arms and maintaining said 2,331,390 Gustafson Oct. 12, 1943 chain link fabric under tension. 2,397,680 Morehouse Apr. 2, 1946 

